Johnson to Putin: ‘The Empire Is Gone, You F*ing Idiot'”**

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticized Vladimir Putin’s imperial ambitions, declaring that Russia is no longer an empire and must accept this reality.

In a candid interview with the Lithuanian news outlet Delfi, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered scathing criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him a “f***ing idiot” for clinging to imperialist ambitions over Ukraine and the Baltic states. Johnson’s remarks emphasized that Russia must abandon its outdated imperial mindset and accept the independence of its neighboring countries.

Johnson’s comments came as he reflected on the ongoing war in Ukraine and the geopolitical dynamics that preceded it. He stressed that Russia’s actions, driven by a desire to reclaim influence over former territories, are both “archaic” and “barbaric.”

“No More Empires”
When asked about his claim in his book that he could have prevented Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine had he been elected UK Prime Minister earlier, Johnson said he would have pushed for Ukraine to join NATO, eliminating ambiguity about the country’s status. He criticized the West’s historical uncertainty about Ukraine’s alignment.

“Ukraine’s problem is that our approach to this border country has been chronically ambiguous. Is Ukraine part of the West, or is it part of Russia’s sphere of influence? The most important message we need to send to Putin is that Russia is no longer an empire. It’s over,” Johnson said.

He drew parallels between Russia’s declining empire and Britain’s own post-colonial transformation. Johnson acknowledged that while the UK once held vast imperial territories, it has since embraced a post-imperialist identity.

“You don’t need to control other countries. If you love someone, let them go,” Johnson added, contrasting this philosophy with what he described as Putin’s outdated worldview.

Blunt Words for Putin
Johnson further criticized Putin’s ambitions toward Ukraine and the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—describing them as a futile attempt to resurrect a bygone era.
“What Putin is doing is archaic and barbaric, and he has to understand that Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania—none of these countries are part of the Russian Empire anymore. And the same goes for Ukraine. Everything is over. There is no more empire, Vladimir, you f**ing idiot. Sorry for the expression. But that’s the way it is,”* he said.

Ukraine’s Position
Johnson’s remarks echo warnings from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has previously emphasized that any concessions to Russia would embolden future aggression. Zelenskyy has argued that only by decisively stopping Putin’s war machine can Europe secure long-term peace and stability.

Johnson’s Key Arguments vs. Putin’s Actions